Posted 9/17/2007 1:38 PM (GMT -7)
I was cleaning carpets today and it reminded me that I wanted to share this little story:
about five years ago, my old 19 year old cat (now dead) got sick on Christmas Day. Poor thing got diarrhea. I was sad and upset as I knew it might be a sign of her dying because of her age. Since it was Christmas the vets were closed. I was hoping that she would just get better. Anyway, it was weird as I watched her as the day went on. Her diarrhea had blood and many times she just was stopping and trying to go anywhere but couldn't. I spent most of that Christmas day cleaning carpets and making sure she would drink water. I took her to the doctor the first thing in the morning. I was sad because I was sure the vet was going to tell me I had to put her down.
But guess what. Turns out my cat had Ulcerative colitis. When my vet (who didn't know I had the disease) said it, I must have had a bizarre look on my face so he then proceeded to explain the disease to me. I stopped him and said, "Doctor, this is so bizarre or the universe has one hell of a warped sense of humor."
I told him about having the disease all my life.
And the treatment..PREDNISONE. Just like with humans. However with cats, there is no side effect, no moon face.
I gave her the pred following the same tapering directions. And voila, she got better immediately. She lived another two years.
Just wanted to share since before that I never knew animals could get UC.